Clock-controlled switch.



T. A. ZIMMERMAN.

CLOCK CONTROLLED SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 25. 1912.

1,037,710, Patented se t. 3, 1912.

FIG. 1

WITNESSES eene eee COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH 60., WASHINGTON, D. C

mvamoiz ATTORNEYS THOMAS A. ZIMMERMAN, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA.

v CLOCK-CONTROLLED SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 3,1912.

Application filed May 25, 1912. Serial No. 699,737.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS A. ZIMMER- MAN, a citizen of the UnitedStates of America, residing at Swissvale, in the county of AlleghenyandState of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Clock Controlled Switches, of which the following is a specification,reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invent-ion relates to a clock controlled switch, and moreparticularly to the electric lighting of show windows and the lights.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a new and improvedclock controlled switch designed for automatically turning on and off atpredetermined time the electric lamps used in a show window or otherplace, for instance, turning the lamps on at the beginning of dusk andturning them off at midnight, or, if desired turning on a series oflamps at the beginning of dusk, turning off the lamps at midnight, andturning on a single lamp during the remainder of the night. For thepurposes mentioned use is made of an alarm clock, the clock having adouble alarm mechanism that can be set to actuate a switch arbor at apre-determined time and the switch arbor can be provided with aplurality of contacts whereby a plurality of the electric circuits canbe opened and closed.

The invention will be hereinafter specifically described and thenclaimed, and refer ence will now be had to the drawing, wherein Figure 1is a plan of the clock controlled switch, and Fig. 2 is an elevation ofa portion of the same.

In describingmy invention by aid of the drawing above referred to, Idesire to point out that I intend said views as merely illustrative ofan example whereby my invention may be applied in practice, and I do notlimit my claims to the precise arrangements and construction of theparts inclicated. The following description is therefore to be construedbroadly, as including substitute arrangements and construction which arethe obvious equivalent of those shown.

The drawing shows a clock 1 that is con structed upon the lines of anordinary alarm I clock, with the exception that the clock has a doublealarm mechanism and the shafts 2 and 3 of the alarm mechanism protrudefrom the rear face of the clock. The clock also includes the ordinaryand well known winding mechanism whereby the alarm mechanism can be setto operate at a predetermined time. 7

The rear ends of the shafts 2 and 3 are provided with large gear wheels4 and 5 respectively and these gear wheels mesh with small gear wheels 6and 7 mounted upon a sleeve 8 that is loosely mounted upon a switcharbor 9. The switch arbor 9 has ratchet wheelslO and engaging saidwheels are spring pressed pawls 11, carried by the sides of the gearwheels 6 and 7. The pawls are reversely arranged and one of said pawlsrecedes over said wheels while the other pawl causes the ratchet wheelsto rotate in unison with said gear wheels.

The switch arbor 9 extends into a socket 12 and has blades 13 adapted toengage contacts 15 arranged within the socket. The blades 13 and thecontact 15 are of such construction that positive and reliable c011-nections can be made either for breaking or making a circuit.

. In operation, the shaft 2 rotates at a predetermined time to operatethe switch arbor 9 and close a circuit that lights a lamp. When theshaft 2 is operated, the gear wheels 4 and 6 are revolved and the pawl11 of the gear wheel 6 causes the ratchet wheel 10 to rotate in unisonwith the gear wheel 6. The switch arbor 9 is therefore rotated andduring its operation the pawl 11 of the other gear wheel recedes overthe other ratchet wheel. At a pre-determined time the shaft 3 is placedin operation and the switch arbor 9 is again moved whereby the electriccircuit will be broken and the lamp turned out.

hat I claim is:

1. In a clock' controlled switch, the combination with a switch arbor,of ratchet wheels carried thereby, a sleeve loosely mounted upon saidswitch arbor, gear wheels carried by said sleeve, pawls carried by saidgear wheels and engaging said ratchet wheels, and gear wheels actuatedby a clock mechanism for ultimately imparting movement to the firstmentioned gear wheel and said switch arbor.

2. In a clock controlled switch, the combination with a switch arbor, ofratchet wheels mounted thereon, gear Wheels loosely supported by saidswitch arbor, reversely arranged pawls carried by said gear wheels andengaging said ratchet wheels, and means including a clock mechanism forim- 7 parting movement to said gear wheel whereby said ratchet wheelswill be ultimately revolved.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of twowitnesses.

THOMAS A. ZIMMERMAN. Witnesses:

S. C. TRUXAL,

GEORGE HAINE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

